Invalid-bedstead



PATENTED MAR. 5, 1850.

A. w. BARKER.

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ALEXANDER W. BARKER, OF SUFFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

INVALID-BEDSTEAD.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 7,131, dated March 5, 1850.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALEXANDER IV. BARKER, of the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful, or Improved Invalid-Couch; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully de scribed and represented in the following specification, and accompanying drawings, letters, figures, and references thereof.

Of the said drawings Figure 1 denotes a top view of the frame of my improved couch, as itappears when spread apart, unfolded, or opened, in such manner as to place an invalid in a sitting position, and with the seat on which he sits horizontal. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a central, vertical, and longitudinal section of it. Fig. 4 is an end elevation. Fig. 5 is a central, vertical, and longitudinal section, exhibiting the positions of the parts of the framework, when folded down upon one another, and into horizontal positions.

In the said drawings, A, represents a rectangular bedstead, or couch, composed of two side pieces (1,, a, a, head piece I), and a foot piece 0, connected together and supported on four legs (Z, (Z, (Z, (Z. A rectangular frame B, is arranged within this bedstead, or between its sides a, (Z, and made to turn vertically up and down on two pivots or journals arranged at f, f, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3. The said frame B, is provided with two support struts or bars 9, g, which are hinged to its under side and connected together by a horizontal cross bar it. -When the frame B, is placed in an inclined position, the lower ends of the bars 9, g, are each stepped into one of two toothed racks applied respectively to the insides of the two pieces a, a, of the frame A. The hinges of the two bars 9, g, are seen at 5, z, in Figs. 2 and 3. A rectangular back frame C, and a seat frame D, are both hinged to the upper side of the frame B, as seen at is, Z, is, Z, in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and so as to be capable of being turned up or down in vertical directions and on such hinges as occasion may require.

The back frame C, has sustaining struts Z, Z, hinged to it, and made to work in racks m, m, as seen in Figs. 2, 3. Besides the above the two back and seat frames are connected by two sets of folding arms or bars a, 0,

n, 0, which are jointed together, and to the two frames, in such manner as not only when the frames are placed in the positions denoted in Figs. 1, 2, 3, to assume the positions therein seen, but when the seat and back frames are folded down upon the frame B, to assume horizontal positions, and enter suitable spaces or recesses, made in the sides (a, a, one of these recesses being denoted in Figs. 6 and 7, the former being a top view of one of the sides a, while the latter is an inside view of it.

To the seat frame D, a leg support and foot frame E, is hinged, as seen at 0 0 Its lower end steps into racks p, p, and that enables the said frame to support the seat frame at any desirable inclination. The combination of back, seat, and leg, frames, above described, is to be properly covered with canvass or cloth so as to enable them to support a mattress, when placed on top of them. This mattress should be made in parts connected or hinged together in such manner as to enable them to be arranged, or disposed at such inclinations with respect to each other as circumstances may require,

and so as to accord to the various positions,

in which the said frames may be placed at any time.

By means of the lower turning frame B, and the other frames hinged to it and above ita person may be brought into either a sitting or recumbent position, with great ease and convenience in comparison to what can be effected by the usual invalid bedstead, wherein the frame B, is not used, but the back and seat frames are hinged directly to the bedstead.

That I claim therefore as my invention The combination of the incliningframe B, with the back, seat, foot frames, and main bedstead, substantially, in manner as herein before specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my signature this sixteenth day of November, A. D. 1849.

A. W. BARKER.

l/Vitnesses:

R. H. EDDY, F. GoULD. 

